Advocacy:

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LeadingAge Florida had a strong presence at the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) Florida Health Care Affordability Summit in Orlando last week, represented by CEO/President Steve Bahmer, Vice President of Advocacy Susan Langston and lobbyists Hayden Dempsey and Leslie Dughi of Greenberg Traurig. The goal of the Summit was to create a conversation between the business and health care communities about their needs, and to engage in an open discussion focused on removing the barriers of accessibility to quality health care for all Floridians.

Our advocacy team took advantage of the opportunity to have meaningful policy discussions with key legislative leaders including Senate President Andy Gardiner, Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore Oscar Braynon (D-Miami Gardens), Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville), Sen. Rene Garcia (R-Hialeah), Rep. Cary Pigman (R-Sebring), Rep. James Grant (R-Tampa), and Rep. Chris Sprowls (R-Clearwater) – all major players on health care policy issues and other critical issues of importance to Florida’s aging services providers. One-on-one conversations with each legislator allowed us to share our priorities and our strong focus on quality of care, as well as to thank legislators, such as Rep. Pigman for his sponsorship of expansion of the prescribing authority for ARNPs, Sen. Bean and Rep. Sprowls for their sponsorship of the Telehealth bill, and Sen. Garcia for supporting funding for AHCA for the Medicaid prospective payment system study, and for their continued support of legislative initiatives improving the quality of care for our seniors and our residents.

The event also afforded us the opportunity to meet with representatives of AHCA, advocates, and other health care stakeholders. It was time well spent in enhancing our advocacy efforts.

This year, Summit panelists discussed medical simulation, how data can improve health care, the costs and benefits of health care coverage for employers, controlling drug costs, how to create a healthier Florida workforce and how to expand health care through technology. To learn more about what is already happening in the Sunshine State Click here for a list of presentations and PowerPoint slides from the Summit.________________________________________
Who Do You Know?

2016 is an important election year. Legislators are more eager than usual to connect with constituents – especially those representing a number of potential voters, such as residents, their families, your volunteers, and your employees.

Click here for the LeadingAge Florida Legislative Key Contact Program document. Please complete this document and email it back to us at gungru@leadingageflorida.org, so you can become part of our grassroots advocacy effort. The most effective advocacy is almost always done at the local level, in your communities, with your legislators, by you and your staff. Our grassroots programs are designed to build and capitalize on our strength at the local level.